Faircross And My Early Teens
- a Memory of Barking.

I was born in Upney Hospital 1944, my mum and dad lived in Stratton Drive, went to Park Modern School as did my 2 older sisters and my brother. Most of my parents families lived in the same area ie on the so called 'Leftly Estate', we were considered to be upper class living there!! My best memories at that time are of Barking Park, the small train that ran at the end of the park, boating on the lake, and there was even a paddle steamer. Barking Carnival held in the first week of September was always special! I was sixteen and finding out what girls and rock'n' roll were about! Bright lights and Elvis and Buddy Holly - best time of my life!
One last thought...Does anybody remember the fish and chip shop 200 yards from the park entrance? With 2 large walls covered in tiles depicting Lowestoft Trawlers in Heavy seas? Absolutely wonderful!! Probably in a landfill site now? In 1960, I now owned a motorcyle! But my mates all had scooters! (I have always been the odd one out!). Monday nights at the Ilford Palais was the place to be, lots of scooters, even more lights and mirrors and everybody in a parka!
Back a few years, I remember going to the Royal Oak (Fly House) on a Saturday night with my mum and dad, most of the residents of Stratton Drive and my family's relations were there, singing and drinking. I had to stay outside with a lemonade and a packet of Smiths crisp and the little blue bag of salt. Thought in my mind is how close they all seem to be! I suppose the war had brought everybody together and fifteen years later it hadn't diminished. I have very happy memories of Faircross!
Bernard Stevens, Sussex

Comments & Feedback

I can relate to all that you've written even being born in Upney hospital in 1944.I remember Saturday nights outside the Royal Oak wIth my brother,sister and cousins whilst our parents were in side. We loved carnival week we had the fair on our door step with candy floss and candy.One year we won so many pineapples it turned me off for life!I remember the fish shop it was near Rawlings the green grocers where my friend lived all those years ago and we're still friends today.My sister lives on the Leftly Estate I moved to Canvey Island but I still have happy memories of Barking.Carole Jordan.

Hi Carole, we was probably hanging about outside the 'Royal oak' at the same time!! Lots of people wonder why the 'Royal Oak' got the name Fly house my dad told me that when the pub was new around 1900? it was then in the country a few miles from the built up areas on East ham, so a nice 'pony and trap ride on a Sunday morning was the thing result lots of ponies and horses = lots of dung = lots of dung= lots of flys hence the name